radiator curtains (as opposed to cabinets)

Last December, my living-room looked like this. 

Then for a while it looked like this, after I stencilled the walls.

As a trial for my Impossibilities Challenge, I put up two floating shelves, one on each side.

In May, the old geezer finally put up the other two shelves over the radiators for me. 

(We don't like to hurry things around here !)

I had visions of building radiator cabinets underneath the shelves,

but the wood has warped, so we are going to see what happens when we

put the rads on, in the winter.

For now I have made burlap curtains !

They are a bit more see-through than I would have liked, but I could line them I guess.

I am not quite sure why I can't take a straight photo, I rarely drink alcohol. 

I think my house is wonky !

With stuff on the mantle as well, it's looking rather overcrowded in the photos, but 

sitting here, it all looks lovely to me. A minimalist I am not.

I finally have the perfect place for my lightbulb light. The cord tucks down the back.

I haven't caulked the shelves in case they do warp.

I rescued the basket from the garden.

Driftwood from the beach.

I really liked my beachy mantle, so when I removed it, I put some things under this large cloche.

I still have a beast of a tv (it's looking hopeful, that we may soon get a replacement)

and

I love the fact that in the next holiday season, I now have loads of places to display

 more shit stuff.

linking up with

Tuesdays Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays @ Coastal Charm

Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch

Knick of Time Tuesdays @ Knick of Time

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style

Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays @ {Primp}
All Star Block Party @ Full Circle Creations

Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here

Pot Pourri Friday @ 2805

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest

Sunday's Best @ My 1929 Charmer

Sunday Showcase Party @ Under The Table and Dreaming

 

 

a tale of bedrooms and beds

Whilst trying to finish my unfinished projects, stupidly starting some more and finding places for everything that used to be on the mantle, because of the new mantle in the post below, I have also been trying to sort out our tiny spare room.

When I moved in with the old geezer, his daughter slept in there, in a bunk bed, (she spends three nights a week with us, and  the rest with her mother).

I used the third, and much larger bedroom as an office, store room and work room.

After a couple of  years, we switched rooms. I actually loved my new tiny office ( I painted it all white of course) but it was always completely over crowded.

In her new larger bedroom the old geezer's daughter got this Ikea day bed, which came from her mothers house. At her mother's house she got a new double bed (with me so far ?).

Last year, the old geezer's daughter asked us if she could have a platform bed. The type with a desk underneath.  We found a really good quality one on ebay - hardly used, for a great price.

We put the Ikea bed in the loft.

When we created my studio space I put most of my stuff in there, so that my tiny office could become a small guest room.

Some weeks ago, we brought the Ikea day bed down from the loft.
I actually sorted all of this out and although the room wasn't finished I made up the bed ready for visitors !

THEN, just as I was getting the colours, and ideas sorted in my head - we were asked to return the bed !
The old geezer's daughter's mother was moving, and wanted it back. No problem, it wasn't ours, although luckily she didn't want the mattress, one less expense.

So - plan B. Find a new bed - budget £20 if possible (highly unlikely).

I looked in every charity shop that sells furniture, in the local area.
Ebay didn't have anything I liked.
Then I went to a house clearance place - no single beds. I found a little table for £10 (to hopefully paint and sell on), and while I was paying I thought I'd ask about single bed frames, just in case.

I was told there was one in a store room.

I was shown the bed.

Oh wow.

I tried to look nonplussed.

I asked the price.

£20 !!!

I casually said I'd take it (maybe I could have got it for less, but I was just so ecstatic).

Oh happy happy day !!!!

It's gorgeous, I absolutely love it. It looks Victorian and maybe mahogany but I really have no idea. I am sure it's worth way more than £20 though.
I would never paint it, the wood is just too good. The bars are a little odd, maybe it was adjusted at some time, and the mattress doesn't cover them - but I love the height of the headboard, and I am planning to use a lot of cushions.

And now I have a whole new list of things to do, to finish this room - (as if I didn't have enough already).

I hope you all have a great weekend - Fiona xx

goodbye 2011 hello 2012 !

Last night I went and watched the old geezer's band playing at a pub in town. They go down well at New Year, because they play a lot of Irish jigs, which always gets people up and dancing.

See them here and here.

And today I've put away all the Christmas decs. I would normally leave them out longer, because our holiday season is quite short here - but I really feel the need to get on.

And I decided to do a little post Christmas mantle - inspired as always by blogland

and the many ever-changing mantle vignettes.

It normally looks like this -

But now it looks like this -

I used the white twigs I had added to my wreath. The larger topiary trees that I made about 15 years ago, were here anyway. The smaller ones are from my little office. I made them from eucalyptus leaves and put them in little metal pots that have a lovely patina.

An old chess board and some fir cones finish it off.

But I felt I wanted something else (there definately ain't no minimalist here either), went to my office and saw the candle sconces.

As I have mentioned before - it is rather full, but I am trying to find the right place for everything.

They were one of the things that I first painted white when we sold the cafe - and why I named this blog the way I did. I knew they would balance out the vignette. I just put two small nails in the frame, that way I can always take them out. And I'm really happy with it.

It's very hard to take pictures because of seeing my reflection in the mirror, but I love it here.

Next to tackle in this room - I want a couple of shelves on either side of the fireplace,

and radiator covers.

I haven't made a list for 2012 because I always have about 5 lists on the go anyway.

1. Little touch up jobs around the house.

2. Which pieces of furniture need painting for us.

3. Which furniture needs painting to sell.

4. What I'd like to do to each room.

4. Ideas I have for pictures and paintings for us, and to sell.

2012 is going to be pretty busy, because I need to work as well.

And of course blogging is pretty addictive and takes up quite a bit of time !!!

 

 

three mantles !

Not content with decorating the lounge for christmas - I thought I would do a couple of extra options !
Other bloggers style has inspired me.

Firstly, my traditional, mostly red mantle.

Or - how about a 'nearly white' mantle

For the 'almost white' mantle I used a window box I had, dried twigs from the beach, decorations and lights from my collection and other white twigs that I have had for years. I only bought the moss  which was £1 and actually for another project, and a can of white spray £5 - but there is lots of this left to use on other things.

So - there is one final mantle to see. I will call it 'a little bit of bling'.

I had the votives, and silver twigs and champagne glasses. The other items were presents apart from the mercury glass balls that I bought recently - the only glass baubles I own !

I love all the mantles, but I can only keep one displayed here. 

So which do you prefer, and which one do you think I left for christmas ???

Linking up with

super crazy christmas decoration addiction

***  I finally got my old geezer up in the loft today, to get down the christmas decs  ***

Working away for the last week has been hard - I kept seeing bloggers decorate their homes, and I just couldn't wait to get on with mine !

Well here I am - I hope you're sitting comfortably !

I have a serious christmas decoration addiction !

The boxes !

 The before - my lounge with simple home-made mantle and lovely log burner.

A few HOURS later - the after !

The hall.

My decorations don't include tinsel or glass baubles (let's face it - there isn't much room on my tree for tinsel), but I do have criteria. They are generally wood, metal or fabric. Santa's are my favourite, and most of my decs are red, white, green or gold and silver.

The reindeer is actually resin, but he is so cute.

Yes, there are often more than one on a branch, but I love them all jostling for space !

The long santa face is one of my favourite and my oldest.

Another favourite - my santa Russian dolls. They cost £1 about 20 years ago !!!!!

So, do you think I am a little crazy ? I have actually been collecting them for about 30 years, so I don't think that works out as too many per year. And lots were presents.

This years purchases, all from different places. I tend to buy in pairs or get 'the set' if there is one.

I didn't post or even blog on Friday as it was my birthday - but had some great presents from my best friend Amanda. She really knows my taste.

More decorations.

She saw me eyeing up this lovely book in a shop.

And this one - and of course it caught my eye because I follow Fifi's blog.

And my favourite shell chocolates. The little box from Pandy because she knows I'm dieting and the bigger box from my old geezers daughter. It was so sweet of her - it was my birthday after all.

I couldn't resist these when I was out shopping in T K Maxx. Have I mentioned it was my birthday !

Unfortunately I didn't come home with these (I am sure the bank manager was happy), they didn't have my size. And I don't wear heels much, so I probably would have looked at them, more than wore them !

But I found something almost better -

A great big glass cloche, and only £7.99. The last time I found one this size it was £16.99 and I didn't go for it. I like 'things' to be around £10 unless they are lamps, or furniture etc.

So, there it is - did you stay till the end. Well either way there will be more christmas tomorrow as I haven't quite finished yet.........

Linking up with